British Junior Academy of Brussels - Prep and Senior Campus vs The International School of Brussels

	B British Junior Academy of Brussels - Prep and Senior Campus Brussels, Belgium	T The International School of Brussels Brussels, Belgium
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €10,403 - 28,322	Fees / year €22,590 - 49,715
Age range	Age range 9 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (DP), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum, BTEC Qualification
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1992	Opened 1951
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location BJAB operates from two campuses in Brussels: the Lower School at 83 Boulevard Saint Michel, 1040 Etterbeek, and the Upper School at 101 Boulevard Louis Schmidt, 1040 Etterbeek. The two sites are in Etterbeek and are within a five-minute walk of each other. The school lies in the European Quarter, within easy reach of the European Commission, embassies, NATO and other business districts. Being located in Etterbeek, minutes away from central Brussels, the campuses are well situated for local transport and access.	Location Kattenberg 19, B-1170 Brussels, Belgium. It is in Watermael-Boitsfort, the south‑east quadrant of Brussels. The 40‑acre campus sits within the Forêt de Soignes and offers extensive outdoor learning facilities; it is easily reachable by car, bus, train and tram.
Stages	Stages Early Years; Pre-Prep; Prep and Senior.	Stages Early Childhood Centre (Preschool – Grade 2); Elementary School (Grade 3–6); Middle School (Grade 7–9); High School (Grade 10–12).
School type	School type International English-speaking school in Brussels. Bespoke education in a nurturing environment for children from around the world. BJAB offers a British-style education.	School type Private not-for-profit international day school.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix Pupils come from many nationalities and speak over 40 languages. The school provides English as an Additional Language (EAL) support for pupils not yet fluent in English. BJAB thrives on its diverse community.	Pupil nationality mix 60+ nationalities represented.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is provided for pupils not yet fluent in English.	Additional learning support Inclusion & Challenge services provide personalised support for diverse learning needs across all age groups.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Belgium.	Country affiliation Belgium
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure Lower School (PreKindergarten–Year 4) starts around 8:00 and finishes between 12:00 (half day) and 3:30 (full day); Garderie is available until 6:00 pm. Years 5–11 start around 8:00–8:20 and finish around 3:45–4:00, with Garderie again available until 6:00 pm; Wednesdays have different collection times. A sample Day at Prep shows a typical timetable with classes through the afternoon and a 4:00 pm dismissal.	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details The ISB Bus Service operates with more than 30 buses serving most parts of the city and surrounding areas. It is available to students from Kindergarten to Grade 12, with BatOnRoute real‑time tracking and bus monitors. Late Bus Service is available for Middle and High School students; bus fees for 2025‑26: Return 3,140 Euro; One way 2,385 Euro.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application and one-time fees - Registration fee (first child): EUR 500, payable upon enrolment and non-refundable. - Sibling registration fee (each subsequent child): EUR 250, payable upon enrolment and non-refundable. - Enrolment deposit: EUR 500, payable upon enrolment and fully refundable on departure provided there are no outstanding charges; any outstanding charges (for example damaged library books) will be deducted from the deposit. In exceptional circumstances the deposit may be withheld if written notice of departure is not provided within the required notice period. Tuition fees by year group (full year totals and three-instalment schedule — academic year 2025–2026) - Full‑year tuition (total payable): - Kindergarten (half day): EUR 10,403. - Kindergarten (full day): EUR 17,800. - Reception class: EUR 18,780. - Years 1 and 2: EUR 21,795. - Years 3, 4, 5 and 6: EUR 24,197. - Years 7 and 8: EUR 26,777. - Years 9, 10 and 11: EUR 28,322. - Three-instalment payment schedule (instalment dates and proportions for the full year total): - 1 May 2025 — 20% of the total. - 1 July 2025 — 40% of the total. - 1 January 2026 — 40% of the total. - Instalment amounts by year group (three instalments shown in the order 20% \| 40% \| 40%): - Kindergarten (half day): EUR 2,081 \| EUR 4,161 \| EUR 4,161. - Kindergarten (full day): EUR 3,560 \| EUR 7,120 \| EUR 7,120. - Reception class: EUR 3,756 \| EUR 7,512 \| EUR 7,512. - Years 1 and 2: EUR 4,359 \| EUR 8,718 \| EUR 8,718. - Years 3–6: EUR 4,839 \| EUR 9,679 \| EUR 9,679. - Years 7 and 8: EUR 5,355 \| EUR 10,711 \| EUR 10,711. - Years 9–11: EUR 5,664 \| EUR 11,329 \| EUR 11,329. Billing schedule and payment terms - When an employer/company is paying, tuition fees are payable for the whole school year. For parents paying privately, fees can be paid in the three instalments shown above. Monthly payments may be arranged only by request and at the discretion of the Headteacher. Pupils entering mid‑year receive a pro‑rata invoice before entry; payment is required within two weeks of invoicing. No student may be admitted or remain at the school unless payment arrangements have been made. Parents remain responsible for total sums due regardless of any employer subsidy. Boarding fees - Boarding is not applicable. The British Junior Academy of Brussels is a day school and does not operate boarding facilities. Other costs and routine charges - Annual residential week: An additional charge is applied for participation in the annual residential week for pupils in Years 2–11. - Duke of Edinburgh and Round Square: Additional charges apply from Year 9 to cover participation in the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme and Round Square activities. - Public examination fees: Standard charges levied by examination boards for public examinations are passed on to parents (for example Year 9 Cambridge Checkpoints and Year 11 Cambridge IGCSE). - Included within tuition: School fees cover books, use of school IT equipment up to Year 9, sports courses, swimming expenses and day visits. From Year 10 a Bring Your Own Device policy applies (device cost is borne by the family). - Uniform: Uniform must be purchased from the school supplier (Trutex) using the school code; standard home delivery is EUR 10 (free for orders over EUR 150) and returns are accepted provided items are unused and returned within 60 days. Refunds on returned items may take up to 14 days to process. Refund information and departure notice - Enrolment deposit refund: The enrolment deposit (EUR 500) is fully refundable on departure provided there are no outstanding charges; outstanding charges will be deducted from the deposit. - Registration fee: Non‑refundable once paid. - Departure notice period: The school requires 90 days written notice of a pupils departure. In the absence of 90 days written notice, three months fees will be payable. Specific notice cut‑off dates are applied around term end dates. Fee payment options - Credit and debit card payments: Card transactions (credit/debit) are processed using third‑party payment processors; the school does not itself store card account information. - Invoicing and payment timing: Invoices are issued according to the billing schedule described above and must be paid within the stated terms; parents pay the total sums due whether or not an employer contributes. Monthly payment plans are available only by request and at the Headteachers discretion. Notes for parents on variable costs - Expect additional, itemised charges beyond the published tuition where the school passes on third‑party costs (residential trips, award schemes, public examination fees). Day trips, books and most educational resources are included in the tuition.	Fee details Application fee - Application fee (all grades): EUR 2,000. Tuition fees (annual) — by year group - Preschool (ages 2.5–3): EUR 22,590. - Pre‑Kindergarten (4 years old): EUR 25,030. - Kindergarten (5 years old): EUR 37,760. - Grades 1–2 (ages 6–7): EUR 40,670. - Grades 3–6 (ages 8–11): EUR 41,400. - Grades 7–9 (ages 12–14): EUR 46,825. - Grades 10–12 (ages 15–18): EUR 49,715. - Intensive Learning Support (for ILS students): EUR 25,155 plus the relevant grade‑level tuition. Per‑term (how fees are presented and typical payment structure) - Fees are published and invoiced on an annual basis; the school issues invoices annually in May for the following school year. Because fees are set and invoiced annually, there is no official per‑term charge published. Families may choose the school's instalment plan, which spreads the annual tuition into monthly payments; the instalment plan divides tuition into up to 10 monthly payments (July–April). For simple budgeting, an approximate per‑term figure can be obtained by dividing the annual tuition by the number of academic terms you choose to use for your own budgeting (the school does not publish an official per‑term schedule). Billing schedule and payment terms - Invoices for the following school year are issued annually in May. - Invoices for students joining during the school year are issued before the enrolment date. - Invoices are payable within 30 days of the invoice date or prior to the student's start date. - The parent (or legal guardian) is always responsible for payment of school fees regardless of any employer arrangements. Payment methods and terms - All fees are due and payable in EUR. Payments can be made by bank transfer to The International School of Brussels at BNP Paribas Fortis. - Bank transfer details (for payments by bank transfer): SWIFT: GEBABEBB; IBAN: BE71 2100 5790 1069. - Consolidated monthly invoices (for items such as lunch, athletics, music, ISB Plus) can be paid by bank transfer or by direct debit (SEPA mandate). - There is no published option on the fee page for credit‑card payment; available options shown are bank transfer and SEPA direct debit. Instalment / payment plan - A family instalment scheme is available to individuals (not open to companies paying tuition). - Typical administrative fee: EUR 200 per family, annually. - The instalment calculation uses the cost of tuition plus an interest rate of 1% above the current EUR Central Bank rate and may be divided into up to 10 monthly instalments (July–April). - The instalment scheme applies only to tuition fees (does not include bus fees or other related costs). Bus fees - Return trip (annual): EUR 3,140. - One‑way only (annual): EUR 2,385. - Bus fees are charged annually; there is no reimbursement of bus fees due to an inability to use the service. - The school offers a separate payment plan for families who would otherwise find it difficult to pay the annual bus fee. Other costs and optional charges - Cafeteria: daily lunch is paid through student lunch accounts; a lost lunch card carrying fee of EUR 10 will be billed if a card is lost. - Co‑curricular activities and ISB Plus: costs for clubs, activities and ISB Plus are optional and billed through the consolidated monthly invoice. - Musical instrument rental: EUR 210 per year (rental from the school). - Athletics fees: billed per season/per sport; typical player fees noted are EUR 270 for JV/Varsity teams and EUR 170 for U14 teams (additional travel costs for tournaments billed separately). - International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme: students taking the IB will be billed for IB exam and administrative fees and any external examination expenses requested by the student. - Other potential costs (examples): school trips, seasonal team travel, specialty courses, therapy or additional student support services — these are billed as they occur via the consolidated invoice. Refunds, adjustments and pro‑ration - Students who leave early: for students who have paid the full tuition (and bus, where applicable) and who leave before the last day of January, 25% of the tuition (and bus) fee will be reimbursed by the school. If a student leaves after the last day of January, there is no reimbursement of fees already paid. - Students who enrol late: the school publishes monthly pro‑rata amounts by level (the published schedule shows the reduced amounts for each month if a student starts after the academic year begins). The published pro‑rata schedule is used to calculate fees for late enrolment and for partial months; students starting within a month will be asked to pay for the full month. Boarding - Boarding is not provided as a standard full‑time option; the International School of Brussels operates as a day school for its student population. (Overnight/boarding arrangements may be referenced only in limited, event‑specific contexts such as camps where temporary overnight accommodation is arranged.)
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details BJAB uses a responsive, future-focused curriculum designed to prepare pupils with the skills needed in a dynamic world. Literacy is developed through project-based learning, STEAM activities, and digital education to enhance problem-solving and creativity in real-world contexts. The curriculum is embedded with digital literacy from Early Years, with a coding progression from game-based learning in Early Years to block-based coding in Key Stage 1, and then to text-based coding and robotics in Key Stage 2. CENTURY provides personalized learning pathways from Year 3, with dashboards that help teachers tailor next steps. The school emphasises safe online practices and an ethical approach to technology, delivering cross-curricular projects and a strong focus on adapting to accelerating change. The overall aim is to equip students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to thrive in the digital landscape of the future.	Curriculum details ISB uses English as the main language of instruction. French is offered from age 2.5, with a French bilingual programme from Grade 5; additional language options include Dutch, Spanish, and Japanese. The Home Language Programme integrates languages spoken at home into the curriculum. The curriculum is flexible and inquiry-based, with personalised learning pathways across ECC to High School.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio 7:1
Exam results	Exam results BJAB uses a mix of teacher assessment and standardised testing to track progress and attainment, aiming for above age-related expectations (standardised scores of 110+). The Independent School Inspectorate rated BJAB as Excellent in all categories in 2019, and ISI accreditation is reviewed on a three-year cycle; the latest ISI report published in 2025 confirms continued high standards. In 2022, the median standardised scores in Mathematics and English were 118 and 113 respectively, indicating performance above expectations; data from 2022-23 and checkpoint data also show strong results.	Exam results IB Diploma results for 2025 show 160 graduates, 141 IB Exams taken, 118 Diploma candidates, 27% of IB Courses with accommodations, an average IBDP score of 35, a 100% pass rate, 49% bilingual diplomas, and an average Course score of 5.5. AP results show 84 students (Grades 9–12) completed 136 exams in 13 subjects, with an average AP score of 3.84, 90% of exams scoring 3 or higher, 103 students taking AP Exams, 19 AP subjects taught, and 44% achieving a perfect score of 5. BTEC results show a 100% pass rate with 2 pathways offered and 33 students taking BTEC, with 27 students working towards external BTEC qualifications.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression BJAB offers a secondary program that includes Cambridge IGCSE in Years 10-11 and, from Years 12-13, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). Pupils have progressed to prestigious schools and universities worldwide, including Eton College, Thomas's Battersea, St Paul's Girls' School and others; the curriculum supports success in environments ranging from IB and Cambridge to the Belgian school system.	Higher education progression ISB offers five graduation pathways, including IB Diploma, AP, BTEC, US Diploma, and another pathway. Universities worldwide offered ISB students places in 2024-25, demonstrating strong progression to higher education globally.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented BJAB has a Challenge for All policy to provide challenge for higher attaining and more able learners. Higher attainers and more able pupils are defined by attainment data, and provision is tracked through baseline, mid-year and end-of-year assessments; Century AI is used to identify gaps and tailor pre- and post-learning tasks to extend learning.	Gifted and talented The Inclusion & Challenge Department provides High-Ability Programmes for advanced learners.
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions BJAB offers rolling admissions with year‑round entry. Entry begins with a tour and interview with the Headteacher, Mr Retter; tours can be requested via the Enquiry Form, and video conference appointments are available for admission from abroad. After the tour, parents apply formally by submitting the application and medical information forms; the Admissions Officer confirms receipt and may issue a formal offer after agreement with the Headteacher. Some prospective pupils may undertake entrance assessments (these do not determine admission) and pupils may have a trial day. Admission decisions are made by the Headteacher and the Senior Leadership team; spaces are limited and waiting lists may occur. Applications from those requiring 1:1 learning support, financial aid or other special circumstances may take longer. Registration and payment follow the Schedule of Fees: the first invoice covers a 500€ Registration Fee and 500€ Deposit, securing the space; these fees are non-refundable if a place is not taken within the agreed period; further invoices for school fees follow; attendance certificates can be issued for employers. Start Your Journey: enter your child's date of birth to discover when they can start at BJAB.	Admissions 1. Submit the ISB admissions application with the required application fee. The application form must be accompanied by the application fee, and applications will not be processed until the full application fee is paid. If the application is withdrawn, 50% of the fee is refunded; if a Financial Aid application is denied or the family does not accept the offer and withdraws, 75% is refunded; if a completed application is placed in a waiting pool for 60 days and the family cancels, a full refund is available. 2. After the completed application is received, an admission decision is typically issued within 7 to 10 working days. A decision may be delayed if additional information is needed or during school-holiday periods. 3. Students can join ISB at any point during the school year, typically before 1 May. A suitable start date is determined in collaboration with the family and approved by the Head of School. IB Diploma students cannot begin after the beginning of October if their courses are not transferable to ISB. 4. Grade-level placement is based on the prior educational experience and the student's age. In some cases, a placement test may be given to accurately place a student. 5. The ISB Bus Service is the most popular transport for commuting to and from school. Some students may use public transportation, ride a bike, or be dropped off and picked up by their parents. 6. ISB runs waiting lists when necessary. When classes are full, a waiting pool for the affected class is opened, and the Admissions Team explains how waiting pools are managed. 7. ISB offers a limited number of financial aid opportunities each year based on eligibility criteria. ISB also provides an English Language Development Programme at all levels to support non-English-speaking students. 8. ISB has an Inclusion and Challenge Programme to meet learning needs and ensure appropriate placement. 9. The school day hours vary by section: ECC Preschool 08:40–15:30 (Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri) and 08:40–12:30 (Wed); ECC Pre-Kindergarten 08:40–15:30 (Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri) and 08:40–12:30 (Wed); ECC Kindergarten–Grade 2 08:40–15:35; Elementary School 08:40–15:35; Middle School 08:35–15:40; High School 08:35–15:40.
Scholarships	Scholarships Discretionary financial assistance on school fees is available upon admission. Scholarships and bursaries are available for strong Sixth Form candidates through a Sixth Form assistance programme.	Scholarships ISB offers a Financial Aid Programme to assist families experiencing temporary financial hardship; the aid is primarily designed for existing families and is available for a maximum of two consecutive years. Applications for Financial Aid must be submitted with the regular ISB application and supporting materials, and are considered up to March 31 until the budget is exhausted. ISB also offers a Scholarship Programme for merit-based scholarships open to students of all nationalities; these scholarships are offered for two consecutive years for Grades 7–12 and are designed to provide access to ISB for students not currently in the ISB community; scholarship criteria include English skills, high achievement in English, alignment with ISB's values and mission, overall academic achievement, and demonstrated talents. All scholarship applicants must complete the Scholarship Programme Form and attach supporting materials. Applications for the next school year should be received by March 31. The Scholarship Committee includes the School Director, the Director of Advancement, the Director of Finance and Operations, the Finance Manager, and an Academic Panel. For further questions about scholarships, contact the Admissions Office.
Waitlist	Waitlist Spaces are limited and may involve waiting lists.	Waitlist Yes, ISB runs waiting lists when classes are full. A waiting pool is opened for the affected class, and the Admissions Team explains how waiting pools are managed. Waiting lists help accommodate students when space becomes available.
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